Strata Energy Inc., has proposed the Ross In Situ Leach (ISL) Project in Crook County, Wyoming. The NRC is reviewing this project and has provided an opportunity to comment on the draft Supplemental Enviornmental Impact Statement (SEIS). Comments are due

Ranchers and Neighbors Protecting Our Water (R&NPOW) is a group of concerned citizens within Crook County, Wyoming, and the surrounding areas. The major concern that spurred the formation of our group is the threat to our water from "in-situ leaching of uranium," also know as ISL of uranium. The focus of our group is not with any one particular mining company, but with the process of in situ leaching of uranium, which is spreading rapidly throughout the State of Wyoming and other western states.

Ranchers and Neighbors Protecting Our Water is an affiliate of the Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC). PRBRC is an organization that works for responsible development, a fair shake for ranchers, and protection of Wyoming's imcomparable quality of life, while allowing for efficient and profitable resource development. To find out more about their organization, please go to www.powderriverbasin.org.

MISSION STATEMENT

To preserve and protect the quality and quantity of the groundwater in Crook County, Wyoming, and surrounding areas for now and for future generations.

GOALS

1. To inform the public about possible adverse affects of ISL to our groundwater, our air, our health, and our livelihoods.

2. To work with county and state officials and legislatures improving regulations and enforcement of those regulations to ensure the protection of the public.

CONCERNS

1. According to a congressionally mandated report by the National Research Council, "the primary risk associated with in-situ leaching or uranium mining is the potential for contamination of adjacent groundwater."

2. The process of ISL requires the use of large volumes of water, which we cannot afford with the lengthy drought situation.

3. Historically, it has been difficult and often impossible for ISL operations to restore the groundwater to pre-mining quality.

4. The process results in large amounts of waste water and solutions, which must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. There has been a history of contamination from leaks and and spills of these solutions.

5. Because of the risks involved with this process, we question whether this should be allowed near populated areas.

6. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) has informed us that they will not have adequate resources to carefully monitor these ISL projects. Therefore, the companies will basically be "self-monitoring." Currently, there are two corporations exploring and proposing ISL operations in our county. You can find out more about each at the following websites: